Tim-M said...
The latest 'homework' into the Sensory product line finds an extensive third party development kit available for the VR-Stamp at $129 through a company in the U.K. That development kit which includes a VR-Stamp can be found here:
I have also started to plan a project that includes Speech Recognition, but as others have said, lots of info, but where's the products! This chip looks like the real deal, but I have been out of touch with SR for a while.
What is your opinion of the VR Stamp (from a technology stand point) itself?
You sure are right about speech recognition products - they are indeed few and far between. Speech synthesis products are more prevalent and there are several chip series and modules that are quite cost effective to work with and do a good job. Holler if you'd like a few links regarding speech synthesis and I'll pass what I have along. As for my opinion of the VR-Stamp, I have to honestly tell you that I don't have first hand experience to go on as I haven't had a module on the bench yet. I will say that the Sensory chip series that the VR-Stamp is based on, seems to have made it into a number of production products and that speaks well for it. I do wish that Sensory would provide some demo's to help give a better impression of the recognition requirements and response - that would be nice to see. What I've read about the Sensory technology appears sound and gives the impression that they have worked hard and done their homework -- but don't put much weight on that statement as I·am no expert, nor claim to be.
Anyone else have anything to add? I'd love to know too. Jon Williams made a comment once regarding Sensory support if I remember correctly... maybe he has dealings with them or the products that he would be willing to speak to.
That sure is true. It seems to go one way or the other, with little middle ground. Either the development tools are very cost effective with the intent of getting them into as many product designers hands as possible, or they are so expensive that only companies with large R&D budgets can afford to play with them.
Just some more follow-up information·on the Voice Direct II module.··After·I called Digi-Key yesterday, I·also sent an e-mail to Sensory asking if they had any units remaining in stock -- well, the reply just came back and is directly from the horses mouth·as follows:
Hi Tim,
Thank you for your interest in Sensory Inc.· I apologize that you've been having trouble locating Voice Direct II modules, however, we do not have any left-over stock to sell to you.· I apologize for the inconvenience.· I recommend that you upgrade to the VR Stamp, I've attached a data sheet for this product to assist you in determining whether or not it suits your needs.· The VR Stamp toolkit (available at www.digikey.com or www.semiconductorstore.com) contains 2 VR Stamp modules and all of the hardware and software necessary to create a speech recognition project.· The toolkit sells for around $500 and additional modules are approx. $40.·
I hope you have found this information helpful and good luck on your project.
I did a double take at first too, but I believe that information is correct. The difference is that the $500 Toolkit is the development package offered by Sensory directly, and the $130 development package is by, and from the third party company Mikro Elektronika in the U.K. I definately agree, you get a whole lot more for $130 from Mikro Elektronika! As in... Wow, I can't even come close to buying those parts alone for $130 !?!! I haven't decided for sure yet, but I'm thinking about the ordering the kit from Mikro Elektronika -- haven't decided for sure because I don't have an immediate need, but I'm so enammered with this subject that I really can't be trusted.
Anywhoo... Thanks for saying thanks, I appreciate that alot.
Tim-M said...
I did a double take at first too, but I believe that information is correct. The difference is that the $500 Toolkit is the development package offered by Sensory directly, and the $130 development package is by, and from the third party company Mikro Elektronika in the U.K. I definately agree, you get a whole lot more for $130 from Mikro Elektronika! As in... Wow, I can't even come close to buying those parts alone for $130 !?!! I haven't decided for sure yet, but I'm thinking about the ordering the kit from Mikro Elektronika -- haven't decided for sure because I don't have an immediate need, but I'm so enammered with this subject that I really can't be trusted.
Anywhoo... Thanks for saying thanks, I appreciate that alot.
Tim
I was just too curious also, so I ordered a kit last evening from them (Mikro Elektronika!)! It really does look like agreat deal.
Guess I'll have to repost back when I get my hands on it!
I was just too curious also, so I ordered a kit last evening from them (Mikro Elektronika!)! It really does look like agreat deal.
Guess I'll have to repost back when I get my hands on it!
Paul
Hi Paul,
· Thanks for letting us know that you have a development kit on the way from the UK.· I hope you're happy with it, and PLEASE give us some feedback when it comes in OK?· (Now, do I order one myself before or after yours comes in??)
Well, I have succumb to my long-standing curiosity on this subject and I now have an Easy VR-Stamp development kit (Mikro Elektronika) on order too. By the way, my order has nothing to do with Ryan's offer regarding a good review of the VR-Stamp or the development tools above. As far as I'm concerned, that offer was made to Paul and my order timing is just coincidence. I'm not here to compete or step on toes, but to have fun learning and sharing the brain power.
Tim
Edit:· Just as a side note... Judging from the number of times this topic has been viewed, it appears to be a·fairly popular subject.
· Nope, no package·yet.· I received an e-mail on 04/19/06 that said my order had been delivered to customs, that I should expect 1-3· business days for processing there, and then expect 8-21 business days for delivery after that.· Using this info, the worst case for·my order·delivery works out to 05/19/06, or two weeks from today.· I'm hoping for something earlier than that.
Tim-M said...
Nope, no package yet. I received an e-mail on 04/19/06 that said my order had been delivered to customs, that I should expect 1-3 business days for processing there, and then expect 8-21 business days for delivery after that. Using this info, the worst case for my order delivery works out to 05/19/06, or two weeks from today. I'm hoping for something earlier than that.
Tim
Basically the same status here! I ordered about a week ahead of Tim - but we will probably receive them at the same time.
UPDATE: My order from MikroElektronika arrived on Monday. The USB drivers appear to be missing from the kit and I'm waiting to hear back from Tech Support on that little issue, other than that, I just need more time too!
Shredder said...
I am gonna poke this thread again.. cause I am totally waiting with cash in hand to order one [noparse];)[/noparse]
Whats the good word?
I am going to crack mine open in the next few days (hopefully, the water will stop coming my basement in long enough for me to play!!!) - I'll post when I have some info..
Hey all,
I was ready to order the MikroE development board and VR-stamp when I came across this posting. Has anyone received their board?
I am anxious to get some feedback before I put my order in. One thing I found is that the Software full version is $99.00 however they say you can achieve a lot with the free version.
· I've had my board for a couple of weeks now, but haven't had a whole lot of time with it yet.· Quality of construction and materials·is good, but I'm finding that·the documentation isn't geared much toward someone without high-end programming skills.· To be honest, I haven't even·been able to test the voice recognition yet, as I can't seem to make heads or tails of much of any of it yet.· I did get the USB drivers installed and have passed the communications tests with the development board.
Tim-M said...
I've had my board for a couple of weeks now, but haven't had a whole lot of time with it yet. Quality of construction and materials is good, but I'm finding that the documentation isn't geared much toward someone without high-end programming skills. To be honest, I haven't even been able to test the voice recognition yet, as I can't seem to make heads or tails of much of any of it yet. I did get the USB drivers installed and have passed the communications tests with the development board.
Tim
I spent a couple of hours with mine also and I am in exactly the same [noparse][[/noparse]frustrating] position!
The board is an excellent piece - well organized and high quality. When you plug it in, it plays the included demo which contains voice (amazingly good quality - obviously a recording) plus a cute little musical ditty that goes on for a while.
Documentation is very lean! I traveled all over the Mikroelektronika and Sensory sites, Both are quite esoteric from a layout and content standpoint and it very quickly gets "muddy" as to whether you are reading stuff that actually applies to what you are looking for. I did manage to find the USB driver quite buried in a non-intuitive place on the CD. I too was successful in installing the Flash utility (again, once I found it on the CD), and was able to read and save the program (HEX) that was in the VR chip as delivered.
I am still trying to figure out how to program the VR Chip (or actually how to WRITE a program for it - the Flash program does the programming) and what I should use to do that. On the CD, there appears to be versions of Pascal and C (Mikroelektronika packages - but appear they MIGHT be scaled down). I have bumped into allusions that PicBasic can be used (I do have PicBasic Pro), but that is also unclear.
BUT - everything I read keeps making me more excited to get this figured out and working - somewhere in there, there appears to be a great VR product!!
How do you program the board, do you need to have knowledge of C programming, Basic or other? Their ads claims that the documentation is very clear, from what you say it does not appear to be the case. I think this board is made in Germany, maybe the translation is the problem.
Would you mind posting more details when you have had an opportunity to play around with it some more.
Comments
Tim,
It really does look like a good deal.
I have also started to plan a project that includes Speech Recognition, but as others have said, lots of info, but where's the products! This chip looks like the real deal, but I have been out of touch with SR for a while.
What is your opinion of the VR Stamp (from a technology stand point) itself?
Anyone else have thoughts on the VR Stamp?
Thanks,
Paul
You sure are right about speech recognition products - they are indeed few and far between. Speech synthesis products are more prevalent and there are several chip series and modules that are quite cost effective to work with and do a good job. Holler if you'd like a few links regarding speech synthesis and I'll pass what I have along. As for my opinion of the VR-Stamp, I have to honestly tell you that I don't have first hand experience to go on as I haven't had a module on the bench yet. I will say that the Sensory chip series that the VR-Stamp is based on, seems to have made it into a number of production products and that speaks well for it. I do wish that Sensory would provide some demo's to help give a better impression of the recognition requirements and response - that would be nice to see. What I've read about the Sensory technology appears sound and gives the impression that they have worked hard and done their homework -- but don't put much weight on that statement as I·am no expert, nor claim to be.
Anyone else have anything to add? I'd love to know too. Jon Williams made a comment once regarding Sensory support if I remember correctly... maybe he has dealings with them or the products that he would be willing to speak to.
Tim
Post Edited (Tim-M) : 4/7/2006 3:17:01 PM GMT
That's an important point Tim- the development tools can often price something out of a project-
Ryan
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Ryan Clarke
Parallax Tech Support
RClarke@Parallax.com
Tim
Hi Tim,
Thank you for your interest in Sensory Inc.· I apologize that you've been having trouble locating Voice Direct II modules, however, we do not have any left-over stock to sell to you.· I apologize for the inconvenience.· I recommend that you upgrade to the VR Stamp, I've attached a data sheet for this product to assist you in determining whether or not it suits your needs.· The VR Stamp toolkit (available at www.digikey.com or www.semiconductorstore.com) contains 2 VR Stamp modules and all of the hardware and software necessary to create a speech recognition project.· The toolkit sells for around $500 and additional modules are approx. $40.·
I hope you have found this information helpful and good luck on your project.
Regards,
Erika
Anyway, thank you, you sure are doing alot of stuff, I appreciate that.
Anywhoo... Thanks for saying thanks, I appreciate that alot.
Tim
I was just too curious also, so I ordered a kit last evening from them (Mikro Elektronika!)! It really does look like agreat deal.
Guess I'll have to repost back when I get my hands on it!
Paul
Hi Paul,
· Thanks for letting us know that you have a development kit on the way from the UK.· I hope you're happy with it, and PLEASE give us some feedback when it comes in OK?· (Now, do I order one myself before or after yours comes in??)
Tim
Ryan
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Ryan Clarke
Parallax Tech Support
RClarke@Parallax.com
Tim
Edit:· Just as a side note... Judging from the number of times this topic has been viewed, it appears to be a·fairly popular subject.
Post Edited (Tim-M) : 4/12/2006 5:35:27 PM GMT
Sounds like a deal - I bet "you guys" desks would make a lot of us drool!
And that's a GOOD thing!
I want to order one really soon, as soon as I know its a good working product[noparse];)[/noparse]
Tim
Basically the same status here! I ordered about a week ahead of Tim - but we will probably receive them at the same time.
Ryan
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Ryan Clarke
Parallax Tech Support
RClarke@Parallax.com
Got to finish building the new Dev PC, then on to new stuff.
Tim
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There is always an answer.
There is always a way.
There is always a reason.··· -SciTech02.
Whats the good word?
I am going to crack mine open in the next few days (hopefully, the water will stop coming my basement in long enough for me to play!!!) - I'll post when I have some info..
Paul
I was ready to order the MikroE development board and VR-stamp when I came across this posting. Has anyone received their board?
I am anxious to get some feedback before I put my order in. One thing I found is that the Software full version is $99.00 however they say you can achieve a lot with the free version.
Tim
I spent a couple of hours with mine also and I am in exactly the same [noparse][[/noparse]frustrating] position!
The board is an excellent piece - well organized and high quality. When you plug it in, it plays the included demo which contains voice (amazingly good quality - obviously a recording) plus a cute little musical ditty that goes on for a while.
Documentation is very lean! I traveled all over the Mikroelektronika and Sensory sites, Both are quite esoteric from a layout and content standpoint and it very quickly gets "muddy" as to whether you are reading stuff that actually applies to what you are looking for. I did manage to find the USB driver quite buried in a non-intuitive place on the CD. I too was successful in installing the Flash utility (again, once I found it on the CD), and was able to read and save the program (HEX) that was in the VR chip as delivered.
I am still trying to figure out how to program the VR Chip (or actually how to WRITE a program for it - the Flash program does the programming) and what I should use to do that. On the CD, there appears to be versions of Pascal and C (Mikroelektronika packages - but appear they MIGHT be scaled down). I have bumped into allusions that PicBasic can be used (I do have PicBasic Pro), but that is also unclear.
BUT - everything I read keeps making me more excited to get this figured out and working - somewhere in there, there appears to be a great VR product!!
To be continued......
Paul
How do you program the board, do you need to have knowledge of C programming, Basic or other? Their ads claims that the documentation is very clear, from what you say it does not appear to be the case. I think this board is made in Germany, maybe the translation is the problem.
Would you mind posting more details when you have had an opportunity to play around with it some more.
Thanks for the info.